Vālāyan
The Vālāyan is the ceremony in which the title of Ontāgul is conferred by the Nāgya Pānang to the next leader of the Rasp.
History
When the Nāgya first assumed governance of the Rasp, they did so with the council of elders serving as all three branches of the government. Though sufficient for the early days of the settlement, as the Rasp grew and matters that required urgent attention became common, the inefficiencies of the council of elders came to light. It was necessary to establish an office that could respond in real time and direct the use of resources to address urgent problems in the community and the elders turned to the title of Ontāgul as a potential solution.
A ceremony was conducted—in public so as to emphasize the legitimacy of the new office of Ontāgul—during which the elders symbolically conferred upon the Ontāgul a portion of the authority invested in the council. In the years since, the ceremony has been improved and codified, leading to the modern form of the Vālāyan.
Execution
The ceremony of the Vālāyan is rather simple and short. Before witnesses who preferably represent the community, the Nāgya Pānang take apart a medallion made of three even pieces of processed deadiron. These pieces represent the power of governance as well as the burden of responsibility that accompanies it. One of the three pieces is then given to the incoming Ontāgul to represent the passing of executive authority to them.
Following this exchange, the Ontāgul partakes of a bowl of vermin soup to symbolize their dedication to the community and to improving the lives of the people of the Rasp.
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